San Francisco In-person Winter Workshop

December 6, 2024 - San Francisco, CA

On Friday, December 6, the California-Japan Sister Cities Network co-hosted the 2024 CJSCN Winter Workshop & Reception in Northern California. The event took place at Consul General Yo Osumi’s official residence. This was the last event of the 2024 workshop series themed “Global Connections: Sister Cities, Business, and the Next Generation.” CJSCN appreciates our two co-hosts, the Consulates General of Japan in San Francisco and Los Angeles.

The event was attended by approximately 100 people, including sister city organizations representing 28 sister city partnerships. In addition, other stakeholders such as business representatives, JET Programme alumni, and local high school students taking Japanese language classes participated in the event. You can find the list of California cities that were represented at this workshop at the end of this summary.

Event MC Kevin O’Donnell (Political Assistant, Consulate General of Japan in San Francisco) introduced the Consul General of Japan in San Francisco, Mr. Yo Osumi, who welcomed guests and emphasized the importance of sister city relationships. Following his remarks, CJSCN President Meg Mizutani explained the workshop’s theme and emphasized the importance of all stakeholders working together to support the sister city community’s shared mission. Mr. Carlo Capua, Board Chair of Sister Cities International, sent a video message to the reception, inviting attendees to participate in the SCI’s U.S.-Japan Sister Cities Summit in September 2025 in Izumisano City, Osaka.

After the introductions, attendees listened to a presentation by Hannah Majidi, CJSCN Board Member and President of Glendora Sister City Association, entitled “Empowering Young Professionals: Sister Cites as a Launchpad for Success.” She described her sister city journey, beginning with her experience as a sister city exchange program participant as a middle school student and how she built a successful internship program with her sister city of Moka in Japan. She emphasized how sister city engagement can empower young people and encouraged them to explore opportunities like hers.

Following the presentation, guests were divided into small groups for networking breakout sessions.

After the breakout sessions, Daly City Mayor Juslyn Manalo presented a certificate of recognition to the three hosts and gave a toast. Daly City is one of the latest additions to the California-Japan sister city and friendship city community. Guests were treated to a delicious buffet dinner by Akari, a San Francisco-based caterer.

CJSCN would like to express our sincere gratitude to our co-hosts, sponsors, and all attendees who share our commitment to citizen diplomacy. We look forward to the next CJSCN events in 2025.

The California cities that were represented at the event are as follows (in the alphabetical order): Bakersfield, Berkeley, Crescent City/Del Norte County, Cupertino, Daly City, El Dorado County, Fresno, Glendora, Half Moon Bay, Hercules, Millbrae, Modesto, Morgan Hill, Oakland, Richmond, Sacramento, Salinas, San Carlos, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose, San Mateo, Saratoga, Sausalito, Sebastopol, South San Francisco, Sunnyvale, Watsonville

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Resources

• Presentation slides from Glendora Sister Cities Association President Hannah Majidi

• Video message from Sister Cities International National Board Chair Carlo Capua (video is also embedded below)